Harrisburg, PA – The Shapiro Administration continues to deliver on its commitment to grow Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy, improve access to public lands, and support critical trail investments in communities across the Commonwealth.
On Earth Day, April 22, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn stood alongside county and regional officials in Nanty Glo to celebrate the completion of the Ghost Town Trail C&I Extension, which finalized a new 32-mile continuous loop trail — the second longest looped rail trail in the U.S — in Cambria and Indiana counties.
DCNR has invested $2 million in the Ghost Town Trail to help with the completion of trail surface improvements, stabilization, amenities, and equipment; two bridges; a box culvert; stormwater management measures; and other project costs. The Department of Environmental Protection contributed $3.4 million to clean up and reclaim nearly nine acres of abandoned mine land.
“This is a remarkable looped rail trail and a clear example of the tremendous impact investments in trails and cleaning up our environment can bring,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “We are excited to have the second longest looped rail trail in the nation and thank Cambria and Indiana counties for understanding the impact outdoor recreation brings to local communities and prioritizing strategic investments in recreation and conservation.”
As part of a statewide goal to ensure every Pennsylvanian lives within 10 minutes of a trail, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is investing in strategic projects that expand trail access, connect communities, and drive economic growth. The Ghost Town Trail was Pennsylvania’s Trail of the Year in 2020.
What Pennsylvanians are reading and watching about the completion of the Ghost Town Trail’s loop:
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: PHOTO GALLERY | 'We did it': Ceremony celebrates completion of Ghost Town Trail's loop | Local News | tribdem.com
Altoona Mirror: Ghost Town Trail extension completed | News, Sports, Jobs - Altoona Mirror
WTAJ: Cambria County welcomes 32-mile trail loop after decades of work
WJAC: Cambria County completes 32-mile continuous loop project at Ghost Town Trail
Lightner Communications: Ghost Town Loop Extension Opens | Lightner Communications LLC - Altoona,PA
Trails Fuel Pennsylvania’s Growing Outdoor Economy
The outdoor recreation industry contributed $20.4 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy in 2024 — representing 2 percent of the state’s GDP. Under Governor Josh Shapiro’s leadership the sector supports more than 177,000 jobs and generates $9.5 billion in wages, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
DCNR has helped close five of Pennsylvania’s Top 10 Trail Gaps during the Shapiro Administration. These efforts are supported by more than $8.2 million in investments for 29 trail projects through C2P2 grants announced — part of $92 million for 295 local projects — reinforcing a statewide strategy to expand access to safe, high-quality outdoor recreation.
Since 1995, DCNR has invested nearly $1.5 billion into more than 10,000 outdoor-related projects across Pennsylvania. These investments align with DCNR’s 2025-29 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP): Outdoor Places, Shared Spaces, which outlines a roadmap to improve outdoor access, equity, and sustainability across the Commonwealth and meet the outdoor recreation needs of Pennsylvanians.
With more than 14,000 miles of trails, 6,500 local parks, 125 state parks, and 2.2 million acres of forest land, Pennsylvania boasts one of the largest public trail systems in the eastern U.S. — positioning the Commonwealth as a leader in four-season recreation, a hub for active tourism, and making it The Great American Getaway.
Earlier this month, Secretary Dunn joined Governor Josh Shapiro to announce Laurel Caverns State Parkas Pennsylvania’s 125th and the first subterranean state park. Approximately 50 miles from Pittsburgh, Laurel Caverns is a 435-acre park centered around the largest and deepest limestone cave in Pennsylvania, which includes four miles of wide cave passages that go as deep as 476 feet and the largest bat shelter in the Northeast. The Caverns attract 50,000 annual visitors and officially reopened to the public on Earth Day, April 22, and will remain open through October.
Learn more about DCNR’s grant programs and outdoor recreation opportunities at on its website.
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